Medication History-Taking Training Program
| ACPE Numbers: Pending for pharmacy technicians Release Date: January 7, 2026 - available to preorder Expiration Date: January 7, 2029 ACPE Numbers: Various – see below |
Overview
Obtaining comprehensive and accurate medication histories is of critical importance to protecting patients from medication errors. The Medication History-Taking Training Program is designed to equip pharmacy technicians for the important role as medication history-takers, and to prepare them for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board® (PTCB) Medication History Certificate exam.
The online curriculum includes the following topics:
- Definitions of key terms related to the medication history process;
- the impact of incomplete and inaccurate medication histories on patient safety;
- a review of the most commonly prescribed medications and immunizations, and the diseases they treat/prevent;
- translation between medical terminology and lay language;
- sources of information for medication histories;
- verifying patient identify;
- patient factors that influence the ability to report medication information accurately and adhere to medication regimens;
- interviewing patients to gather “best possible” medication histories;
- types of medication errors;
- recommendations for avoiding common errors and omissions when obtaining medication histories;
- medication adherence assessment and improvement strategies;
- legal considerations related to medication history-taking, including patient confidentiality; and
- customizing and implementing a medication history-taking service.
Medication History-Taking Training Program Requirement
Once a learner has completed the educational curriculum, they will have the opportunity to complete an online comprehensive exam. Once the learner passes the exam (minimum 80% passing rate; unlimited attempts permitted), they will earn the statement of completion for the training program.